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A coalition of safety advocates, including National COSH, has filed a petition before the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), calling for greater worker and public participation in Commission proceedings.

“Workers know best how to prevent the hazards that cause injuries, illnesses and death on the job,” says Mary Vogel, Executive Director of National COSH.

On December 19th, National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) general counsel Richard Griffin issued 13 complaints, involving 78 charges, against McDonald’s USA. The action follows Griffin’s July finding that the fast food giant is a “joint employer” along with its franchisees, and therefore potentially liable for violations of labor law committed at those restaurants.

DuPont, owner of plant where 4 died from chemical exposure, is worldwide seller of ‘safety’ training to other companies
Company claimed $100 million in safety training revenue in 2004, but experts say discredited program discourages reporting, increases risk of workplace hazards

Nicole Marquez found her calling, she says, while she was still in high school. An older cousin asked her to join a United Farm Workers demonstration in Watsonville, California. “We marched with 20,000 people,” Marquez recalls. “It was such an important moment in my life. From that moment on, I really wanted to dedicate myself to fighting for the rights of working class people and people of color.”

Reports that a second Dallas hospital worker has been infected with the Ebola virus show the need for stronger and more comprehensive on-the-job protections for health care workers.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Nina Pham, Amber Vinson and their families,” said National COSH executive director Mary Vogel. “We’re also thinking of all the health care workers across America who are exposed, every day, to serious risks to their own health and safety.”

Yesterday, California’s Governor Jerry Brown signed landmark legislation that will provide significant new protections for subcontracted employees. Under the new law, host employers and their staffing firms will have to jointly take responsibility for the health, safety, and basic workers’ rights of temporary employees.

Shortly before adjourning for the year, the California legislature passed a landmark bill which offers key health and safety protections for temporary and contract workers. Now the legislation is on Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk, awaiting his signature or veto.